Nakata powers Japan past Dominican Republic
<div class="row">
<div class="columns medium-7">
<p>TAPEI CITY – First baseman Sho Nakata provided his second game-winning RBI in as many nights to lift Japan’s National Team over the Dominican Republic, 4-2, at Taoyuan Stadium in Day 5 of the 2015 WBSC Premier12.</p>
<p>After Dominican Republic shortstop Ronny Rodriguez blasted a 2-run home run off of Yasuhiro Ogawa in the seventh inning to tie the game 2-2, Nakata answered in the bottom of the eighth with a 2-run double down the left field line inning to put Japan ahead,4-2.</p>
<p>2013 U-18 Baseball World Cup star Yuki Matsui pitched the final inning to earn the save and secure the win for Japan.</p>
<p>With the win, Japan remains on top of Group B with a 3-0 record, while Dominican Republic has dropped to 0-3.</p>
<p>Dominican Republic actually outhit Japan (eight hits to five), including five hits against Samurai starter Shota Takeda.</p>
<p>In Japan’s first three games of the Premier12, Nakata is 7-for-11, and has eight RBI, the most of tournament.</p>
<p>Japan is the only undefeated nation in Group B, and will face the U.S. National Team on Saturday, while the Dominican Republic will meet Venezuela.</p>
</div>
</div>